Provodnikov: Win over Castillo is First Step Back To Title

By Ryan Burton

BoxingScene.com caught up with former WBO junior welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov (23-3) who is only two days away from his fight against former light weight champion Jose Luis Castillo (66-12). The fight, which takes place in Moscow, will be Provodnikov's first fight in his native Russia since his unanimous decision victory over DeMarcus Corley in 2011.

Despite criticism for facing a past his prime Castillo, Provodnikov said that he trained very hard for the fight and that he expects Castillo to give a great fight.

"Training camp went great! I am ready for anything this Friday. I say anything because I should expect anything from a great warrior with over 70 fights. People underestimate him because of his age but any fight that he trains seriously for can make him a dangerous opponent, and I think this is one of them," Provodnikov told BoxingScene.com.

The Siberia native said that he didn't get a chance to see last week's Manny Pacquiao-Chris Algieri fight but he wasn't surprised by the result. Provodnikov lost a controversial split decision to Algieri in June.

"I didn't watch it, but I heard what happened in the fight. It was just what I though would happen," Provodnikov explained.

As for Friday's fight against Castillo, Provodnikov simply said, "This is my return fight after my controversial loss. I will return victoriously and in the next fight I will become a world champion again."

i'm concerned for Castillo's health, Provo is a beast, an animal, a wolverine, a damn psycho and he's gonna shred Castillo to pieces......i hope i'm wrong, i don't wish castillo any bad but this fight is dangerous for him, he's…